GEORGE TOWN, Dec 28 — Penang state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari today announced a RM7.5 million allocation for the extension of its Pas Mutiara bus programme next year.
The transport and infrastructure committee chairman said the state will be funding 150,000 units of Pas Mutiara to enable the pass holders to ride the Rapid Penang buses in the state free of charge.
The unlimited free bus ride pass was first introduced in March last year with an allocation of RM3 million for 100,000 passes.
The programme was extended this year at a cost of RM4.5 million for 90,000 passes.
“Taking into account the number of Pas Mutiara purchases and increasing number of ridership each month, the state government has increased the funding of Pas Mutiara by 30,000 passes which brings the number of Pas Mutiara funded this year to 120,000 passes at a total cost of RM6 million,” he said in a statement.
He believes the bus subsidy will motivate more people to switch to public transport.
